Is a Honda Civic manual transmission worth it?

[HARISH]

Comparing a 2009 Civic Automatic to a 2009 Civic Manual, which is better? Dealer told me that with latest technology, automatics are getting better mileage than manuals. But I'm not sure about long term maintenance costs and which would be cheaper. Also, does anyone know if insurance would be cheaper for a manual?

[emiller1998]

Automatics get slightly taller gearing which cancels out the extra friction they have and gets them similar or better mileage.
Automatics - 4.44 final drive & 0.525 5th gear = 2.331 overall
Manual - 4.29 & 0.727 = 3.119

If down the road your trans breaks automatics cost more to repair.

Your salesman probably came up with this excuse because he has a Civic automatic on the lot and would have to trade for a manual one. He just doesn't want to do more work.

[mycle1000]

there should be no mileage difference, depending on your driving style. the manual might be less convenient in city traffic or in a hilly area.